February 27, Tuesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on April 11, 2017, is written by Pastor David Son who pastors the Thrive Church in Taipei.  He is a graduate of University of California, Berkeley (BA) and Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div.). Stay up to date with the church by following them here: https://www.instagram.com/thrivechurchtaipei/

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“A Greater Vision”

Mark 11:15-18 

And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching. 

In 1996 Steve Jobs returned to Apple to serve as the interim CEO of the company. People were familiar with Jobs because he was the co-founder back in ‘76, but no one could have predicted what he did when he came back. At the time of his re-entry, Apple was a slowly dying company. But to be fair, they were working on roughly 350 different projects, with the hopes of making a comeback. But Steve Jobs came in and overthrew all of them! He cut every single project and forced the company to focus on just 10 projects. Some might have called him crazy, but everyone agrees that he was a radical. Nevertheless, out of this revolutionary overthrow was born the iMac, iTunes, the iPod and the iPhone! Since then, Apple has become the most successful tech company in the world. 

On the Tuesday before Jesus was crucified, He went into the Temple of Jerusalem and overturned the tables, both literally and figuratively. The Temple of Jerusalem was a slowly dying system (the glory of God wasn’t upon it quite like it was in the “olden days”) but to be fair, the Temple was the center of the entire Jewish faith. It had been that way for a multitude of generations. Worship, teaching, sacrifices, offerings, all these things took place at the Temple of Jerusalem. It would be an understatement to say that the Temple was the most important and holiest place in all of Judea. So it’s no surprise that the priests, scribes, and religious leaders were outraged by Jesus. 

But much like the vision Jobs had with respect to earthly things, Jesus had, in a much greater way, a vision for spiritual things—a vision for a faith that is not chained to the adherence of ceremonial laws nor confined to a physical location. Jesus had in mind to completely do away with the old system of worship, which had turned into a complex system of do’s and don’ts. Instead, He Himself would be the Way to come to God. In Christ and through Christ, anyone could have access to the presence of God. 

Although we live in the post-resurrection era, oftentimes we overcomplicate people’s access to the presence of God. When we’ve been “good,” we feel as though we deserve to receive God’s love. On the other hand, when we fall into sin, we tend to exclude ourselves from eligibility. But let’s be reminded that Jesus overthrew the old way, and He became our Way to the Father. May you live today in the fullness of the presence of God!

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for providing the way for us. Thank You for your blood, which cleanses us and makes us worthy to be with You. Help me during the times when I’m tempted to disqualify myself or others from Your presence based on our shortcomings. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit today. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Mark 10 

Lunch Break Study

Read Hebrews 10:26-29: For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?

Questions to Consider

  1. What does this passage say regarding deliberate (willful) sin?
  2. What happened to people who deliberately disregarded the Mosaic Law?
  3. How do we reconcile this with the grace and forgiveness of God?

Notes

  1. For obvious reasons, this is not the most attractive verse for believers these days. The passage tells us that there is “no longer a sacrifice” for those who go on sinning deliberately. In other words, the continual practice of willful sin indicates that a person is not living in the forgiveness of God.
  2. In the Old Testament, there was no sacrifice provided for a person who committed a willful, defiant act of sin (see Leviticus 15:30-31). That person would be “utterly cut off” and “his iniquity shall be on him.”
  3. To be clear, this passage does not undermine the power of Jesus’ blood to cover our sins. Even sins that are committed consciously/willingly are certainly within the realm of Christ’s forgiveness. If that were not the case, no one could be saved. However, this passage is a sober reminder that a lifestyle of casual sin is not the norm for a follower of Christ. These days, there is a danger of becoming so comfortable with the doctrine of grace that Christians become okay with living with casual sin. The thought is, I’m never going to be perfect, so I’m not really that concerned with the sin in my life. Besides, Jesus’ blood covers it! But the Bible teaches that that is not an acceptable way to live! True repentance requires that we take our sin seriously. And although it’s true that we won’t achieve perfection while in the flesh, we must never become comfortable with the practice of sinning.

Evening Reflection

Is there an area of your life in which you have stopped pursuing holiness? Perhaps it’s a sin that has plagued you for quite some time. This evening, invite the Holy Spirit to come and renew your love for the Lord in that area. 

February 26, Monday

REPOST  Today’s AMI Devotional QT, first posted on March 6, 2017, is provided by Pastor Mark Chun through whom God founded the Radiance Christian Church (S.F.) in 2012. Mark, after stepping down as its Lead Pastor in January of 2023 and a year of sabbatical that followed, just returned to Radiance as a staff.

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Idolatry of Marriage”

1 Corinthians 7:1-9 (ESV)

Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 2 But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. 3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 Now as a concession, not a command, I say this. 7 I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another. 8 To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. 9 But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. 

Most cultures and people have a very high view of marriage. In the movie Jerry McGuire, Tom Cruise who plays the main character tells Renee Zellweger, “You complete me.”  I’ve come to realize that this is not just romantic sentiment, but it is something that is believed by many people: life is not complete, and you are not a complete person until you have found a person for marriage.  In our generation of postponed marriage, divorce, and singleness, this societal expectation has become a great point of pain and anxiety.  Yet in this passage, Paul reminds us that the relationship between a man and a woman does not make a person complete.  I want you to consider these following points from Rediscovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood:  

  1. Jesus, who was the most fully human person to have ever lived, never got married and He advocated the single life by teaching us marriage, as we know it in this age, is not the final destiny of any human (Mark 12:25).
  2. The apostle Paul was one these men who was chosen to renounce marriage for the sake of the gospel, and there have been many other great men and women who have taken this path.  

And there are several reasons why singleness is a celebrated status in the Scriptures.  The Bible celebrates celibacy because it offers opportunities for single-minded devotion to the ministry of Christ.  In addition, singleness is considered a gift from the Lord and marriage is viewed as something of a concession for those who do not have the gift of singleness.    

I believe that the renouncing of the right to marry is one of the greatest sacrifices that a Christian can make.  Coming from the married perspective, I would say that it ranks a close second to sacrificing your physical life for the gospel.  And for me personally, I think I would rather give up my rights to live than give up my rights to have a wife and a family—clearly, I don’t have the gift of celibacy!  However, the benefits of singleness are not just for those called to a life of celibacy.  Everyone has periods of singleness in life and in those seasons, it’s important to give single-minded devotion and our full effort to serving the Lord.  

Prayer: Lord, whether we are married or single, we know that we have been called to serve You.  We recognize the benefits of marriage but also realize its limitations.  In the same way, we recognize that singleness affords us an opportunity to serve You without the constraints of family responsibilities.  Either way, help us to make the most of our relational status, married or single, and to serve you accordingly.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today:  Mark 9

Lunch Break Study

Read Mark 12:18-27(ESV):And Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection. And they asked him a question, saying, 19 “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife, but leaves no child, the man must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. 20 There were seven brothers; the first took a wife, and when he died left no offspring. 21 And the second took her, and died, leaving no offspring. And the third likewise. 22 And the seven left no offspring. Last of all the woman also died. 23 In the resurrection, when they rise again, whose wife will she be? For the seven had her as wife.” 24 Jesus said to them, “Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God? 25 For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. 26 And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? 27 He is not God of the dead, but of the living. You are quite wrong.” 

Questions to Consider

  1. Why did the Sadducees propose such an outlandish scenario?
  2. What will be our marital status in heaven?
  3. What are the practical implications of our marriage status in heaven?  

Notes

  1. The Sadducees were the liberal wing of Judaism and did not believe in the resurrection.  As an argument against the Pharisees, who did believe in the resurrection, they commonly used arguments like this because the Pharisees believed that earthly relationships were binding in heaven.  Under Levitical law, brothers were held responsible for taking care of one another wives in the case of death before they could bear children.  This obviously would cause a huge problem in heaven if the same women was married to multiple brothers on earth!
  2. Jesus takes the Pharisee’s understanding of resurrection to a much higher level by teaching us that our earthly relationships are no longer binding in heaven, and there will be no marriage in the life to come.  
  3. The practical implication of this doctrine is that everyone who is redeemed will only have a singular focus to their devotion and will fulfill their role as the bride of Christ for all eternity.  

Evening Reflection

Whether you are married or single, all people go through times of isolation and loneliness.   In the midst of those times, our future fellowship with Jesus can be a great source of hope and encouragement.  Pray that the Holy Spirit would be your constant companion and fill you with the assurance of God’s love.   

February 25, Sunday

REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, provided by Cami King—now a friend of AMI—was first posted on February 12, 2017.  Cami served faithfully as a staff at several AMI churches in the past.  

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“I Can Only Imagine!” 

1 Corinthians 2:8-9

None of the rulers of this age understood it. If they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But just as it is written, “Things that no eye has seen, or ear heard, or mind imagined, are the things God has prepared for those who love him.”

Read the following statements and decide if they make sense: 

A seashore is a better place than the street because you need lots of room. 

At first it is better to run than to walk. 

You may have to try several times. 

It takes some skill, but it is easy to learn. 

Even young children can enjoy it. 

Birds seldom get too close. 

If there are no snags it can be very peaceful. 

But if it breaks loose, you won’t get another chance.

Without any context to frame the sentences above, they don’t mean much. Now re-read them with this one-word interpretive key: kite.

A seashore is a better place than the street because you need lots of room. At first it is better to run than to walk. You may have to try several times. It takes some skill, but it is easy to learn. Even young children can enjoy it. Birds seldom get too close. If there are no snags it can be very peaceful. But if it breaks loose, you won’t get another chance.

The context helps the paragraph to make sense. In the same way, when it comes to the Bible (or theology, or Christianity, or the gospel), once you have the context or the framework, all of the details start to fall into place.

Without the proper context, most things don’t make much sense or seem significant. We can manufacture our own sense of meaning and significance (as some of us did with the first set of statements above), but true understanding requires appropriate context. 

In a similar way, our lives require context if we are to extrapolate significance and meaning from them. Without proper context, we are just stringing together a series of seemingly random events and unrelated experiences from season to season. While we can manufacture our own metric that gives our life a sense of purpose and meaning, a genuine (and fulfilling) understanding of anything requires appropriate context. And the appropriate context for life is God. 

Apart from God, our minds fail us in our efforts to make sense of life. He is the Contextualizer. And as much as we know (from the revelation in Scripture, the witness of the Saints, and the promptings of the Holy Spirit), we have not yet seen or even imagined all of God’s good plans for our lives or for His redemptive work in the world.  

May we take comfort in this truth, especially during difficult and confusing times, knowing that one day we will see God face to face and He will be the final word to make sense of it all. This will be a day of great rejoicing for those who’ve put their trust in Him. 

Prayer: Almighty God, thank You for the good plans You have for me and for the world. When things get tough and when life seems confusing, help me to remember that I have only begun to taste and see the height and depth of all that Your love is accomplishing on my behalf. May I take comfort in merely beginning to imagine what You have in store and may I trust You completely to fulfill Your promises beyond my wildest dreams. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Bible Reading for Today: Mark 8

February 24, Saturday

UPDATED Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on January 14, 2017, is provided by Mei Lan Thallman who was serving Grace Covenant Church at the time. 

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“An Antidote for “Me” Leadership: Waiting on Tables”

Acts 6:1-10 

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.  8 Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. 9 Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia—who began to argue with Stephen. 10 But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.

“What’s for dinner?” is one of the most repeated questions I hear from my kids.  Their response to my answer can either place a smile on my face—or drop an atomic bomb in my spirit.  After all the effort I put into making a meal, the last thing I want to hear is “Are you making that again?” or “I don’t like that.” So, at the dinner table, I often need to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to help me to maintain a loving attitude and to zip my mouth from unleashing well-deserved rebuke to my unappreciative, complaining, and expert food critiquing family. Ironically, this situation helps me to understand why the Holy Spirit impressed Luke to emphasize the leadership qualifications to care for the practical needs of a growing church family.  

Upon examining Acts 6, a few important spiritual principles stand out. First, there is no distinction in God’s eyes: one ministry is not more important than the other; both spiritual and practical needs of the church family are equally important.  Second, God’s criteria for leadership qualities to meet both needs are also the same. It’s very fascinating how the text repeatedly emphasizes the importance of choosing leaders who are known to be “full of the Spirit, wisdom, God’s grace and God’s power” (v.3, 5, 8).

The early church is experiencing growth explosion and increasing responsibilities to care for the diversifying needs of the congregation.  The twelve apostles recognized the need to expand their leadership team in order to adequately shepherd the young and fast growing flock. Seven men were appointed with the primary responsibility to wait on tables. The Greek word for “wait on” is the verb from which the noun “deacon” comes from. 

Acts 6 used to puzzle me, because I felt like these seven men were overqualified to wait on tables.  Anybody can wait on tables. When we are known to be full of the Spirit, wisdom, and God’s grace and power, we often think that we are suitable for more important tasks—like teacher, elder, worship leader, small group leader, etc.But having received from the Lord this awesome privilege of serving Him for past 20+ years, I understand that who we are is much more important than what we do. God always looks for leaders who lead out of who they are and not just what they do (title or position). I praise God for placing the priority on the quality of our heart and character over our natural ability and talents. I’m glad that none of the seven responded that they were too spiritual, too qualified, and too good to wait on tables; instead, they accepted the call with humility, availability, and deep gratitude for what Jesus had done for them.

Prayer: Lord, as we have begun 2024 it is our heart’s cry to become men and women who are characterized to be “full of Holy Spirit, godly wisdom, God’s grace and power.”  As we face the challenges of our time, we can all agree this world is in desperate need for more leaders with the spirit of Stephen in our homes, churches, schools, work places, country and world. The Holy Spirit who lived in and through Stephen is the same Person who indwells with all believers of Jesus Christ. Lord, empower us to take a bold and firm stand in our generation and to be a faithful steward of the influences you have entrusted to us.  In Christ Jesus’ overcoming name. Amen.

Bible Reading for Today:  Mark 6-7

February 23, Friday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Jabez Yeo who is now a friend of AMI, was first posted on February 24, 2017. He is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania (B.S.) and Columbia International University where he studied Islam (M.A.). 

Devotional Thoughts for This Morning 

“Orphans Through Our Judgment”

1 Timothy 1:8-11

We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. 9 We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine 11 that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

In the X-Men universe, one of the main protagonists, Professor Xavier, has telepathic powers through mutation and lives to help fellow mutants. By using his machine Cerebro, Xavier can enhance his telepathic powers to locate and communicate with mutants in distress. However, in the movie X2, both human and mutant antagonists, William Stryker and Magneto, attempt to use Cerebro to kill all mutants and humans respectively. Thankfully, the X-Men come to the rescue and the crisis is averted.

As spiritual orphans, we too can use anything meant for good in the wrong way, including God’s law. There are many good uses of the law, as it reveals God’s character and restrains wickedness (1 Tim 1:8). However, we give the law power it does not have when we expect it to justify us and give us life. While the law shows us what Christ is like, we use it wrongly when we expect it to secure righteousness that only faith can secure. Ultimately, the law has no power to produce the heart obedience God is looking for.

It is a good thing that the law convicts us of sin; it was not made for the righteous but for the unrighteous (1 Tim. 1:9-11). However, instead of running to Jesus for rescue, we gain relief from the law’s burden by not only trying to follow it but then also using it to compare ourselves with others who are “worse” than us. Even small things such as coming to church on time (which is a good thing in itself!) can be abused when we use it to feel more righteous than someone who is late. And by taking the position of being right and strong, we actually distance ourselves from our communities. 

As God’s children, we have to remind ourselves that we are free from any condemnation (Rom. 8:1). Through Christ, our sins are paid for and His righteousness and perfect obedience is ours. Knowing that the law does not determine our acceptance with God allows us to extend that same acceptance to other lawbreakers like ourselves. Let’s do so today. 

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your many gifts, including Your Law. Thank You that it shows me how worthy You are of worship and how short I fall of Your standards. Instead of trying to justify myself, help me to run to You, my rock and my Redeemer. Help me to serve and love through the Law instead of judging and condemning others. In Your Name I pray, Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Mark 5

Lunch Break Study 

Read Galatians 6:12-16: Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh. 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. 16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to the Israel of God. 

Questions to Consider

  1. What were the intentions of those who were advocating circumcision?
  2. What instead does Paul boast about?
  3. What are you using as your “circumcision”?

Notes

1. They wanted to impress others by means of the flesh (Gal. 6:12) rather than accepting their identity in Christ. Even those who had never been circumcised were pushing for it so that they may boast (Gal. 6:13).

2. Paul, instead, boasts in the cross of Jesus Christ. At the cross is where we gain true knowledge of God and ourselves. At the cross we see God’s perfect love displayed for sinners and holy wrath against sin. At the cross we see our unworthiness and utter hopelessness without our Savior. 

3. Personal response (e.g. our degrees, our glorious past, our possessions, etc.)

Evening Reflection 

Reflect on the past day. Were there times when you acted in the flesh to protect your reputation and righteousness? Praise God that who we are is not dependent on what we have done, but what He has done for us. Let’s ask God to let that truth sink deeper into our hearts. 

February 22, Thursday 

REPOST  Today’s AMI QT Devotional, written by Pastor Andrew Kim, was originally posted on June 15, 2017.  Andrew, who is presently pastoring Alive Church in Montreal, was recently ordained by AMI. Congratulations.   

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Persecuted for Christ . . . Not Me!”

Revelation 6:9-11

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slaughtered for the word of God and for the testimony they had given; 10 they cried out with a loud voice, “Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long will it be before you judge and avenge our blood on the inhabitants of the earth?” 11 They were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number would be complete both of their fellow servants and of their brothers and sisters, who were soon to be killed as they themselves had been killed.”

Recently, a bus full of Coptic Christians were killed for their faith as they were on their way to a monastery. At least 28 died and 25 wounded. Among the dead were two small girls who were 2 and 4. This is just one tragic example of the persecution that many Christians face throughout the world. In fact, 900,000 Christians have been martyred for their faith in the last 10 year, making it one of the most violent eras for the church. It is a sobering reminder that following Christ is not for the fainthearted—there is a cost to be paid, sometimes even with our very lives. Many of us in the West are often shielded from this reality, since the worst thing that can happen to us is a moment of embarrassment. Sometimes we think that violent persecutions are a thing of the past, but many of our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ are paying tremendous cost for their testimony to God. 

The recipients of the letter understood the cost well. When the fifth seal had opened, John saw “those who had been slaughtered for the word of God and for the testimony they had given.” In other words, he saw Christians who had been martyred for their faith under the altar. What’s interesting is that in verse 11, they are given a white robe, which symbolized purity and victory. Just like John redefined what power looks like (weakness rather than a show of force) in chapter 5, he is also reminding those who are suffering that true victory is in remaining faithful to God, even in the face of death—not in conforming or violently rebelling against their persecutors. God declares that it is He who will avenge them in due time. In other words, all their sacrifice will be worth it, and in the end they will be true victors. Let us take time to remember our persecuted brothers and sisters, and pray that God will strengthen their resolve, fortify their faith, and provide them with an unrelenting hope! 

Prayer: Father, I pray for my brothers and sisters who are being persecuted at this moment. We ask that You might alleviate their pain, but if not, provide them with strength to remain steadfast and faithful to the word of God! Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Mark 4

Lunch Break Study 

Read Mark 8:31-38: And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

34 And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.35 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? 37 For what can a man give in return for his soul?38 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

Questions to Consider 

  1. Why did Peter take Jesus aside after he heard that Jesus would be killed, and why did Jesus rebuke Peter for his actions? 
  2. What is the call to discipleship that Jesus gives in this passage? 
  3. What areas of your life do you need to deny? 

Notes 

  1. Many Jews at the time were waiting for a Messiah who would come in power and overthrow the Roman Empire, giving back the people of Israel their Promised Land. A dead messiah did not fit into Peter’s expectations. However, Jesus reminds him that Peter did not have the things of God in mind. God’s way of life is different—it is one of weakness, loving one’s enemies, and dying to oneself. 
  2. The call to discipleship is to deny oneself and take up the cross and follow Jesus. It is not an easy way to live but it requires much sacrifice and self-death. 
  3. Personal response.

Evening reflection 

“To take up your cross is to consider it better to die than to live for something other than Jesus.”

-Richard Chin 

February 21, Wednesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on May 17, 2017, is provided by Pastor Barry Kang, who heads Symphony Church in Boston.  Barry is a graduate of Stanford University (B.S.), Fuller Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and Gordon Conwell Seminary (D.Min.).

Devotional Thought For This Morning

“Paul’s Ironic Boast”

2 Corinthians 11:24-29

Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant?

 Let’s begin this morning by making sure that we not miss Paul’s main point: he is not trying to inform the Corinthian church about how much he has suffered for the gospel.  Rather, he is using ironic rhetoric to demonstrate the absurdity of boasting.   In verses 30-33, he will cap this remarkable litany of sufferings with a boast of how he once ran away from potential persecution!

Of course, Paul hopes that this litany of boasts will also shock the Corinthians back to their senses. He is not lying about the ways that he has suffered, and this passage makes sober reading.  Who would want to live like this? Recently, I have had the opportunity to talk to some Vietnamese pastors about their experiences in ministry: suffering, persecution, and financial struggles are common themes to their stories.  Yet not a single one spoke without smiling. Paul’s use of irony is remarkably multi-layered.  Because in the end, Paul knows that all of his sufferings really don’t compare to what he’s been given.  There can be joy in suffering. Hebrews 12:2 tells us about the One we follow: “for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross.”  There is joy set before us, so let us endure!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we remind ourselves that there is no suffering we can endure that can compare to what we’ve been given because of Your suffering on the cross.  Thank You for Your passion for us. We lift up a prayer for persecuted Christians everywhere, that You would protect them if possible, but most of all, that You would show them Your great love and glory.  We thank You for their steadfastness and faithfulness.  Help us also to be faithful.  In Jesus’ name, we pray.  Amen.

Bible Reading for Today: Mark 3

Lunch Break Study

Read John 16:20-24: Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. 21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

Questions to Consider

  1. What does Jesus say will happen to our sorrow?
  2. According to Jesus, when will our hearts rejoice?
  3. How can we face the sorrow and struggles of this life?

Notes

  1. He tells us that our sorrow will turn to joy! Though in this life, we can expect weeping and lamenting, we know that this sorrow will indeed turn to joy. This is the power of the hope we have in Jesus!
  2. In v.22 Jesus says—again acknowledging the sorrow we may face in this life—that this present sorrow will turn to joy and our hearts will rejoice when He returns. Jesus’ disciples were not thrilled with the prospect of Jesus leaving them, but He says, “Do not worry – I will come back!” And that same hope is for us as well.
  3. Ask Jesus for help! V.24 says, “Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” When we face trials, let us not be scared to bring them to Jesus and ask for His help to persevere. Remember, He is the One who endured and now gives us the strength to endure through Him!

Evening Reflection  

If you are currently going through any sort of trial, take this time to ask Jesus for His strength to keep on running. If you are not currently experiencing a trial, pray for someone you know who is, or lift up a prayer for our brothers and sisters being persecuted in other nations.

February 20, Tuesday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provided by Pastor Ryun Chang (AMI Teaching Pastor), was first posted on January 11, 2017.

Devotional Thoughts for This Morning

“What Life is Like for the Families Left Behind in Mexico” 

Rom. 12:16

Be willing to associate with people of low position.

Ps. 146:9b

The Lord watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless.

Before leaving for Mexico in 2001, I had lived in Southern California for nearly 20 years, during which time I encountered many Mexican men working as farm hands or day-laborers, who regularly sent money to support their families in Mexico.  Though I never thought about it then, I would’ve guessed that these families were quite elated upon receiving the money.  But a visit to Nealtican, Puebla (near the active volcano “Popocatēpetl”), a small city of 25,000 habitants, forever changed my perception. 

  I visited Nealtican three times to teach a week-long course to train missionary candidates—the first time being 2003, when I stayed at Juanita’s three-story brick house.   A mother of three children, her husband was working in the States as an illegal alien.  And I quickly learned why: there were no jobs there.  In fact, the mayor, speaking briefly at the inaugural service, asked us to pray for his city because of rampant juvenile delinquency, exacerbated by absent fathers. 

While staying there, I got to see what life was like for the families in Mexico of illegal aliens in the States. The children desperately missed their father.  Once a week, the family would walk to the nearest public phone and would wait for a call from the States that may not come.  During dinner, they would talk about their conversations with their dad, or if he hadn’t called, how they missed him. Listening to this and eating the meals especially prepared for their Korean guest for a week, I thought to myself, “I may not agree with illegal immigration, but I must empathize and show compassion to illegal immigrants.”  Wanting to show my appreciation for Juanita, I took the whole family out for a nice dinner before leaving.  

By the time I returned to Nealtican in 2007 to teach again, Juanita and the boys had long gone to the States—presumably without proper documents—to join her husband.  I was told that the oldest child, a teenage girl when I first met her, married a 40-year-old man because he promised her love and security.  I felt sad upon hearing that.  So it goes in Mexico among the families left behind.  

People without proper documents may be illegal before the law, but they are people whom God loves.  

While the law must do what it is called to do, we ought to be willing to associate with people of low position, such as illegal aliens, tangibly showing them compassion and encouragement. 

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for choosing the way of the incarnation to save us, where Jesus became like us in every aspect. You did that not only to save us, but so that we can be assured that Jesus is able to empathize with us, and therefore, go to Him.  Thank you!  

Bible Reading for Today: Mark 2

Lunch Break Study

Read Hebrews 2:17-8: Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Hebrews 4:15-6: For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Questions to Consider

1. In what sense did Christ empathize with us?

2. How does that help our confidence in Christ’s capacity to really help us?

3. Think about a person in your life to whom you need to show empathy.

Notes

1. By becoming a real human, Christ went through all the experiences encountered by every human being. Though never ceasing to be God at any moment, Jesus underwent hunger, fatigue (Jn. 4:6), disappointment (Matt. 26:40; Jn. 14:9), and even anguish (Matt. 26:38).  Consequently, Christ, in His humanity, has personal knowledge of what we go through.

2. Of course, Christ didn’t have be a human being to know what we go through, since He is an all-knowing God. Ultimately, then, Christ underwent human experiences so that we can have more confidence in His capacity to really help us. 

3. What was the last painful experience you went through?  Look around to see who is going through the same thing.   You can empathize with that person better than others.  

Evening Reflection

Did you run into anyone who was going through a difficult moment today?  Perhaps, you are that person.  Before we seek empathy from man, let’s first go to Christ, for He truly understands us.  Pray to Him, casting all your cares upon Him. 

February 19, Monday

REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, provide by Pastor Peter Yoon of Kairos Christian Church in San Diego, was first posted on April 4, 2017.  Peter is a graduate of University of California, Riverside (BA) and Talbot School of Theology (M.Div.). 

Devotional Thought for This Morning

“Saved a Wretch Like Me”

1 Cor 15:9-10

For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 

 “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.” John Newton, a former slave trader, penned these words into a hymn titled, “Amazing Grace” back in 1773. He probably never would have guessed that this hymn would be sung by millions of worshippers in so many languages. One biographer of John Newton estimates that this hymn is performed 10 million times annually, reminding the singers of the greatness of God’s grace over the wretchedness of our sins. 

Do you at times struggle with a sense of guilt for the sins you have committed in your past? Although you know in your thought-life that you’ve been forgiven, the painful and shameful memories of your past still drag you towards the lies of low self-worth and a negative view of yourself. This can often hold you back from serving joyfully in the Lord’s gospel work. 

Steve Arterburn, the author of Walking into Walls, has observed that many people today are still hurting over something that may have happened years ago. Unfortunately, it has become a wall they cannot get past. Rather than resolve the pain and move on, they continue to judge themselves as well as others. This then leads the wretched person to go on facing life in a negative, self-defeating way. Yet the good news of God’s grace shatters this wall. 

Apostle Paul lived in the certainty of God’s grace. He understood that in the past, he had committed some of the most dreadful acts against God and God’s people. The very first Christian martyr was stoned while Paul (formerly Saul) stood over the dead corpse with satisfying approval (Acts 8:1). Could you imagine the immense guilt that must have burdened Paul’s heart after he became a Christ follower? In this brief statement, Paul reveals that of all people, he was the worst. But rather than wallowing in shame and guilt, he moved forward. Paul understood that God’s grace had enabled him to now serve God’s purposes. 

You may have some skeletons in the closet. However, God’s grace fills us and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Yes, we were all wretches at one point. Yet, God gives us the grace to move from our past sins into a new life in His Spirit. 

Prayer: Sing the hymn: “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound; that saved a wretch like me; I once was lost but now am found; was blind but now I see.”  In Jesus’ Name, Amen!

Bible Reading for Today: Mark 1

Lunch Break Study  

Read Matt 26:6-13: While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, 7 a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. 8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. 9 “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.” 10 Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11 The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. 12 When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.13 Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

Questions to Consider

  1. What does the unnamed woman’s action reveal about her understanding of Jesus? 
  2. How would you have responded to the woman’s “waste” of the expensive perfume?
  3. How does this narrative challenge us to think about our own finances, time, and talents?   

Notes

  1. In the context of Matt. 26, Jesus is anointed by this unnamed woman in preparation for His death. She understood this. Unfortunately, the disciples were more concerned with money, even if it was truly for the poor. Jesus had to remind them that they “would not always have” Him, as He would soon go to the cross.   
  2. We might criticize the disciples for their judgmental comment, but self-righteousness tempts all of us. 
  3. Loving Jesus may seem to be a waste of time and other resources in the eyes of the world. However, Jesus considers our devotion to be a beautiful thing. 

Evening Reflection

How have you seen God’s grace work in your life today? Spend some time thanking the Lord for His Grace. From Evangelism Explosion: 

God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense

February 18, Sunday

REPOSTToday’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on February 5, 2017, is provided by Jasmin Izumikawa who attends the Church of Southland in Anaheim, California.

Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend

“Trusting God in the Midst of Storm”

Psalm 77:19

Your way was in the sea and Your paths in the mighty waters. 

Recently, our drought in California had been broken for a few gloriously rainy days. As nice as it was to have the rain, driving on the road was dangerous. Roads were flooded and my windshield wipers were not doing much to clear my view from the penetrating rain.  Larger vehicles would splash waves of water onto my windshield, blocking my vision for a few seconds at a time. It felt like being in a carwash but at 45 miles an hour!  It occurred to me that the most frightening thing about driving in the rain was not so much sliding around but the lack of peripheral vision around me. 

Sometimes, when we do not have excuses or complaints to hide behind anymore, and the only way out is through the stormy sea, we begin to learn how to trust in the LORD. Maybe you can relate to this now in your job, relationship, or lack thereof that has you feeling doubtful of God’s favor or direction in your life. 

Is there someone you need to forgive and show grace to at this time? Perhaps we need to start by asking, What is the LORD strengthening me to do now? LORD, will you give me eyes to see Your handiwork today? What will you show me today?  Wherever we are, let us not lose sight of where God leads us this year.  

Your way was in the sea

And Your paths in the mighty waters,

And Your footprints may not be known. . ..

You led Your people like a flock

By the hand of Moses and Aaron 

(Ps. 77:19-20).

Prayer: LORD, Your way sometimes looks like a challenging journey, but I know Your way is right—Your way is forgiveness, humility, grace, and hope. Give me sight to see where You want to lead me. I place my trust and faith in You, LORD. Amen.


Bible Reading for Today:  Song of Songs 8